Occupational Therapy

What occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (OTAS) assist people in doing what they need and want to do in order to recover or live independently for as long as possible.

You’ll learn to execute household routines and personal care tasks like bathing and grooming more effortlessly with the help of specialized exercises and adapted equipment. You may also learn how to make your house safer or how to cope with functional loss caused by sickness or accident. The occupational therapist in home health will educate you and fight for your needs.

Occupational therapists are trained professionals who help their patients learn how to take care of themselves, get around physical problems, and deal with emotional and social issues. They have specific expertise and education at Tahara Health, including the completely accredited occupational therapy program and a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree in occupational therapy. Occupational therapy assistants have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are both licensed by the state and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

Physical therapy versus occupational therapy 

What is the distinction between occupational and physical therapy? While both can be delivered as part of home health care, they serve different functions and must be coordinated to fulfill the patient’s needs. Occupational therapy is done at home. The therapist works with the patient to find safe ways to do everyday tasks, or “occupations.” Physical therapy helps people get stronger, more stable, and more mobile by fixing the underlying physical problem that is causing their problem.

For example, a physical therapist will try to improve a person’s hip and leg mobility after hip replacement surgery. The occupational therapist may teach the patient to wash dishes while sitting on a stool so they don’t have to bend over as much. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are often ordered by doctors because they help people stay safe at home while they are getting better or taking care of an illness.

Objectives of occupational therapy

Our occupational therapists provide therapy in a comprehensive, patient-centered manner. This means that the treatment plan is made to fit your needs and level of function right now. You are also a key member of the therapy team, and your needs and home health OT objectives help shape your treatment strategy. Here are some examples of adult occupational therapy goals:

• Capability to contribute constructively to everyday activities
• If possible, recover from sickness or injury
• Skills must be maintained or improved over time
• Improved living quality
• Greater independence

   

Occupational Therapy Services

Adults who get in-home occupational therapy might benefit from a variety of treatments. Each patient at Tahara Health is given a unique treatment plan based on their needs and their doctor’s recommendations. Occupational therapy services include the following:

• Occupational therapy exams are used to find out your needs, skills, and goals and to come up with a treatment plan.
• Home inspections to measure fall risk and give safety recommendations
• Recommendations for adapted equipment, such as shower chairs, grab bars, and reachers, as well as instructions on how to utilize them for daily living activities
• Strategies for improving your ability to stick to your drug regimen
• Disease management education for family members and caregivers
• Therapeutic exercise and activity to develop particular abilities required to conduct everyday living activities
• Organize activities to develop self-feeding, grooming, and dressing abilities.
• Techniques for conserving energy and/or collaborating on home security
• Stress management, anxiety management, impaired eyesight management, and other difficulties
• Ideas for fun things to do include getting together with other people, making food, and finding other ways to do things.
• Find ways to make up for problems like poor eyesight, poor fine motor skills, or poor coordination, such as by teaching new ways to handle pills and containers.

May I get occupational therapy at home? 

For Medicare to fund occupational therapy treatments, patients must fulfill home health eligibility standards such as :

• A requirement for skilled care, such as nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, or continuing occupational therapy; and
• Being under the supervision of a doctor who has developed a home health care plan of care; and
• Being unable to leave the house without assistance (for example, from another person or a gadget such as a walker or wheelchair) or having a medical condition that makes leaving the house dangerous

   

Diagnose-based examples of occupational therapy activities

People with a range of health issues might benefit from occupational therapy at home. Your health care team will help you come up with a plan that fits your individual needs. Following are some examples of occupational therapy exercises for adults based on diagnosis:

• Diabetes
• Heart Failure
• Copd
• Stroke
• Conditions Affecting Bones And Joints
• Arthritis
• Mental Health Conditions
• Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease
• Wounds
• Joint Replacement
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Cerebral Palsy
• Parkinson’s Disease

   

CAN I BENEFIT FROM OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?

“Why do I need occupational therapy?” many individuals wonder. Here are some signs that you may need occupational therapy, as well as some common reasons why a doctor might tell you to go:

• You are having difficulty with self-care routines such as showering, dressing, and grooming.
• You’re having trouble balancing, such as by leaning to one side, walking about while hanging onto furniture or the wall, or spending an abnormally long time completing chores like taking off your coat.
• You have poor grip strength, making it difficult to grasp items.
• You are losing the capacity to pursue pastimes that you like.
• You’ve been skipping doctor’s appointments and misplacing prescriptions.
• You have problems with your muscles, like being uncoordinated or not being able to write or tie your shoes.
• You have sensory input disorders if you overreact to touch or sound, don’t notice things like the temperature of water, or can’t find things in your pocket or purse.
• You’re having difficulty solving issues, paying attention, or staying organized

   

Occupational therapy from Tahara Health can help you make these and other changes so you can stay independent at home for as long as possible.

Occupational Therapy’s Benefits for the Elderly

In many respects, the home is a perfect setting for OT treatment. Home-based occupational therapists may observe your daily life, which allows them to recognize the obstacles you confront. The therapist may learn about your needs and objectives in the comfort of your own home, observe how your living environment is set up, and give specific recommendations. Another advantage is that family members and caregivers may participate in therapy and learn how to help.

The most significant advantage is that Tahara Health’s in-home occupational therapy helps patients stay safer at home. Here are some additional benefits of occupational therapy for the elderly:

• Independance
• Safety in the Home
• Management of medications
• Pain and Comfort Management
• Improvement of vision
• Memory and consciousness
• Prevention of falls
• Positive Thinking
• Social and emotional health
• Education and support for caregivers

   

What to Expect from Home Visits for Occupational Therapy

The initial OT treatment visit is usually an evaluation. It frequently takes longer than the subsequent appointments. The therapist may review your case during an occupational therapy examination, such as :

• Medication and medical history
• Concerns and objectives
• Capability to do self-care and modest housekeeping duties
• Cognitive talents, such as your comprehension of your situation and problem-solving ability
• Vision and hearing are two examples of sensory skills.
• Physical talents such as balance and mobility are important.
• Patterns of eating and sleeping
• Medication administration is routine.
• Home environment for fall hazards such as insufficient lighting or sagging rugs

   

The occupational therapy examination serves as the foundation for your individual care plan. The therapist then works with your doctor to come up with activities and techniques that will help you reach your goals and sets up a schedule for future sessions. Your therapist will keep track of your improvement as treatment progresses.

After the first appointment, the occupational therapist will come to your home to teach, help, and work with you on exercises that will help you reach your goals. Blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate may be taken. The OT will also keep an eye out for health improvements or declines so that the rest of the clinical team is aware of any changes. They will modify your care plan as needed to assist you in meeting your needs. They will make changes to your care plan as needed to help you reach your goals. Follow your doctor’s orders.

Objectives of occupational therapy

“What matters to you?” will be one of the first inquiries you’ll hear from a Tahara Health occupational therapy practitioner. Your description of what you wish to be able to do influences your treatment plan. Here are some examples of home health OT goals:

• Maintain or restore independence by learning or practicing daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming
• Recover skills and abilities that were lost because of an injury, illness, or surgery, or adapt to changes in abilities
• Prevent further loss of ability
• Reduce the possibility of harm
• Assist in avoiding pharmaceutical errors
• Keep yourself protected at home, where you are most at ease
• Increase your self-esteem.
• Encourage social contact and conversation
• Reduce your stress

   

IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EFFECTIVE?

According to research, OT treatment can significantly enhance your quality of life. Usually, the outcome depends on how willing the patient and caregiver are to learn new ways to do daily tasks. Patients frequently choose in-home occupational therapy because it allows them to remain at home. It is also beneficial because practitioners may personalize therapy to patients’ requirements and home setting, monitor progress, and change the care plan as needed.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MISTAKES

Occupational therapy treatments can change the lives of people who need help getting back to their daily routines or learning new ways to do basic tasks. Many individuals are unfamiliar with this form of care because it is a specialist subject. We’ll clear up some common myths regarding occupational therapy here : 

1. Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Are the Same : Depending on the patient’s needs, they can get both at the same time, and they work well together. However, OT and PT are distinct therapies with distinct aims. So, what’s the distinction between OT and PT? Occupational therapy helps people do everyday things like eating, bathing, and getting dressed. Physical therapy improves the patient’s mobility by increasing strength, balance, and range of motion.
2. Occupational Therapists Assist People in Finding Work : The term “occupation” refers to what we desire and need to accomplish each day. This does not imply acquiring a career in home health care. Consider what “occupies” our time, the tasks we need to perform to care for ourselves, and what we like doing. Occupational therapists can assist in making meaningful activities safer and simpler. Grooming, clothing, bathing, medication administration, and preparing modest meals are some examples.
3. The majority of occupational therapists working in a hospital : Occupational therapists can work in hospitals as well as in schools, community centers, outpatient treatment, and in-home occupational therapy.
4. Occupational Therapists and Home Health Aides : Home health aides assist with duties such as bathing and clothing. On the other hand, occupational therapists are skilled professionals who teach patients skills and methods to help them do their own self-care tasks. Occupational therapists do not complete the exercise for the patient. Rather, they teach the patient how to be more self-sufficient at work.  OTs also help with many other issues, such as social, mental, cognitive, and physical problems.

How much does occupational therapy cost?

Most Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurance plans cover home-based occupational therapy for people who qualify.

For patients who pay out of pocket, the cost of occupational therapy depends on where they live, where they go for appointments, and what kind of service they need.